Top Stories category, Page 102
National debt reaches record $37 trillion, the Treasury Department reports
WASHINGTON — The U.S. government’s gross national debt has surpassed $37 trillion, a record number that highlights the accelerating debt on America’s balance sheet and increased cost pressures on taxpayers. The $37 trillion update is found in the latest Treasury Department report issued Tuesday which logs the nation’s daily finances....
U.S. Steel: No indications of safety concerns prior to Clairton blastVideo
A U.S. Steel executive said Tuesday there were no indications of safety concerns leading up to the explosion a day earlier at the company’s Clairton Coke Works that killed two workers and injured 10 people. “It was a normal course of business yesterday,” said Scott Buckiso, senior vice president and...
Charges pending in Harrison crash that killed 11-year-old girl
Roxanne Bonnoni’s family might finally get closure. Authorities are poised to file charges nearly a year after the 11-year-old was struck and killed near her home in the Natrona section of Harrison. “Before charging decisions were made, it was important that the District Attorney had the opportunity to meet with...
Pittsburgh’s Terrible Trolley makes a comeback after restoration
When Kimberly Sever was 9 years old, she came up with an idea for how the city could honor her beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. Following her grandmother’s advice, she wrote a letter to then–Pittsburgh Mayor Richard Caliguiri. “I had this idea that maybe the city could have a trolley painted black...
Trump’s takeover of Washington law enforcement begins as National Guard troops arrive
WASHINGTON — The new picture of law enforcement in the nation’s capital began taking shape Tuesday as some of the 800 National Guard members deployed by the Trump administration began arriving. The city’s police and federal officials, projecting cooperation, took the first steps in an uneasy partnership to reduce crime...
ShotSpotter hastens police response but has little impact on arrests, audit finds
The ShotSpotter gunshot detection system has helped Pittsburgh police respond to shootings more quickly but has not led to a surge in arrests or any significant decrease in gun-related incidents, according to a report this week from the city’s controller. Pittsburgh first launched a ShotSpotter pilot program in a 3-square-mile...
Decisive vote expected from Buffalo Township supervisors on proposed solar farms
After a summerlong controversy surrounding two proposed solar farms, Buffalo Township supervisors are expected to cast a final vote to approve or reject the projects at their meeting Wednesday night. A vote already has been delayed twice. The first holdup happened in June after a group of residents opposed to...
Judge rules Seton LaSalle student can play in football scrimmage while awaiting court action
Quarterback Anthony Smith can be on the field for Seton LaSalle at a football scrimmage this weekend, a judge ruled Tuesday. But his ability to play the rest of his sophomore season is up in the air. He remains ineligible when the season starts in two weeks after the PIAA...
Despite dangers, South Huntingdon man who died at Clairton Coke Works loved his job
Tim Quinn joined generations of Southwestern Pennsylvanians 17 years ago seeking a good-paying job with benefits at a local steel mill. A few years after the South Huntingdon man graduated from Yough Senior High School, Quinn followed his father, Tom, into U.S. Steel Corp.’s Clairton Works, the nation’s largest coke-producing...
1 person flown to hospital after 3-vehicle crash involving dump truck in Washington Township
One person was airlifted to a hospital by medical helicopter after a three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning in Washington Township. The wreck, around 10:30 a.m. near Meyer’s Schreck RV along Route 66, involved a Jeep SUV, a pickup truck and a dump truck, according to Washington Township police Sgt. Dakota Drew....
Iron City Car Cruise returns for 2nd year; brewery vows traffic jams won’t recur
The Pittsburgh Brewing Co. this month hopes to repeat the massive turnout it had for last year’s inaugural Iron City Car Cruise — without the massive traffic jam that came with it. After experiencing traffic snarls during last year’s car cruise, the brewery has been working to make adjustments for...
Here are 5 things to know about Clairton Coke Works explosion
Here are the latest details on the fatal explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works. Gov. Shapiro headed to town Gov. Josh Shapiro will visit the site at 1 p.m. today for a press conference. Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and other local officials will also be on hand to...
Pittsburgh region sees driest start to an August since late 1800s
After a spring and early summer that saw several damaging storms and floods, the precipitation well has run dry in August. The last time the Pittsburgh region saw no rain in the first 10 days of August, Grover Cleveland was serving his first term as president in 1887, according to...
School district to turn over student records in criminal cases against special ed teacher, aides
The Greensburg Salem School District was ordered Monday to turn over sensitive student records to prosecutors and a defense attorney in the case of alleged mistreatment of three children in a special education classroom. Teacher Brooke Stanko, classroom aide Teri Kepchia and four other employees are awaiting trial on allegations...
Morning Roundup: 1 arrested following SWAT standoff in Bedford Dwellings; cooling centers open
Here are some of the latest news items from this morning — Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025: SWAT situation resolved in Pittsburgh A man was taken into custody Monday night in Pittsburgh’s Bedford Dwellings neighborhood after reports of a gunshot fired during a domestic altercation. Police were called to a home...
Horizon Market in Tarentum fills void with healthy food options
A small independent grocery store in Tarentum is filling a big void. Horizon Market along Sixth Avenue has only a few aisles, but they’re stocked with locally sourced items like Wholey’s shrimp and Syrian bread from Fazio’s. Specialty sandwiches and gourmet pastries sit alongside milk, chicken, ground meat and produce...
U.S., China extend trade truce another 90 days, easing tension between world’s largest economies
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump extended a trade truce with China for another 90 days Monday, at least delaying once again a dangerous showdown between the world’s two biggest economies. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that he signed the executive order for the extension, and that “all other...
Uvalde County leaders release video, records showing response to school shooting that left 21 dead
AUSTIN, Texas — County leaders in Uvalde, Texas, released police body camera video and documents on Tuesday detailing the law enforcement response during one of the deadliest classroom attacks in U.S. history that left 19 students and two teachers dead. Authorities were roundly criticized for their slow response during the...
Trump weighs taking steps to decriminalize marijuana
President Donald Trump on Monday said his administration is considering rescheduling marijuana on the federal level, a move that would amount to a big step toward decriminalization of weed nationwide. Acknowledging potential divisions over the step, Trump said he will likely decide in coming weeks whether to reduce the official...
Police say 3 dead in shooting at a Target in Austin, Texas, and a suspect is detained
AUSTIN — A gunman opened fire Monday in the parking lot of a Target store in the Texas capital, killing at least three people, then stole two cars during a getaway that ended with police using a Taser to detain him on the other side of the city, authorities said....
Ex-Southmoreland QB fighting to play at Seton LaSalle, says bullying necessitated school transfer
Anthony Smith should be getting ready for the first football games of his sophomore season. Instead, the record-breaking quarterback is in court, fighting for the opportunity to play football after the PIAA denied an appeal last week, leaving him ineligible for the season that starts in two weeks. “I’m optimistic...
What they’re saying about explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works
Local leaders and officials expressed concern and support following Monday’s explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works. Emergency teams are engaged in rescue operations as the situation continues to unfold. Here’s what they said: “My team and I are aware of the tragic explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke...
Missing Greensburg man’s car found in Acme, police asking for public’s help
Greensburg police and Westmoreland County detectives were gathering evidence from a car connected to a city man who has been missing since July 29. The car, a 2002 white Toyota Avalon, was found Saturday hidden off Ridge Road in Donegal Township in a rural area in southeastern Westmoreland County about...
2 dead, including Westmoreland County man, in explosion at Clairton Coke WorksVideo
Two workers were killed Monday and 10 others were taken to area hospitals after a trio of explosions damaged U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works, the nation’s largest coke manufacturing facility. A Westmoreland County man, Timothy Quinn, 39, was one of the workers who died. A second man, not identified, was...
Pa. House passes transit funding bill, but critics give it little chance of advancing in Senate
The Democratic-controlled state House voted Monday to pass a transit funding bill, with support from several Republicans, that the legislation’s prime sponsor said could help stave off sweeping service cuts and fare hikes at Pennsylvania’s two largest transit agencies. “If they become reality, these service cuts will hurt real people,...
